Community Involvement

Ascendium employees are committed to making a difference in the communities where they live and work. Our employee giving program, Ascendium Cares, embodies that commitment, and we encourage everyone at Ascendium to get involved.

Volunteer Time Off

The passion Ascendium employees have for serving others is reflected in the time they spend volunteering in their community. Employees can use up to eight hours of paid time off each year to volunteer through an activity organized by Ascendium Cares employee ambassadors or at a nonprofit of their choosing. Ascendium then further amplifies the impact. We match volunteer hours with a donation to eligible nonprofits where employees volunteered, a program called Dollars for Doers.

Ascendium Cares in 2021

87

ORGANIZATIONS SERVED

1,400+

HOURS VOLUNTEERED

$22,000+

DOLLARS FOR DOERS DONATIONS

"Volunteering at local organizations is incredibly rewarding. I can see the direct impact I'm having on others, get to know the community better and build and strengthen relationships. That Ascendium encourages my participation during company hours and pays for my volunteer time is a breath of fresh air."

JEFF | SENIOR WRITER AT ASCENDIUM

ANNUAL

INITIATIVES

Throughout the year, Ascendium employees participate in initiatives that allow them to meet the needs of students and their families, as well as contribute to organizations that share our goal of elevating opportunity.

SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE

During our Collect for Kids Supply Drive, employees share their passion for eliminating academic barriers in their community. Through donations like books, art supplies and educational games, employees equip students and their families with the learning materials needed for academic success.

1,500+ Supplies Donated in 2021

ANNUAL

INITIATIVES

Throughout the year, Ascendium employees participate in initiatives that allow them to meet the needs of students and their families, as well as contribute to organizations that share our goal of elevating opportunity.

EMPLOYEE-DRIVEN GRANTS

Each year, employees nominate and vote for local organizations that best represent our commitment to increasing learner outcomes. Ascendium then awards the top vote-getters a Good Neighbor Grant.

20 Grants Awarded in 2021

ANNUAL

INITIATIVES

Throughout the year, Ascendium employees participate in initiatives that allow them to meet the needs of students and their families, as well as contribute to organizations that share our goal of elevating opportunity.

PERSONAL EMPLOYEE GIVING

Many of our employees personally donate to local nonprofits that help make their community a better place. To maximize the impact, Ascendium matches $3 for every $1 employees donate to eligible nonprofits, a program called Triple Your Impact.

$245,000+ Donations in 2021

ANNUAL

INITIATIVES

Throughout the year, Ascendium employees participate in initiatives that allow them to meet the needs of students and their families, as well as contribute to organizations that share our goal of elevating opportunity.

EMPLOYEE PLEDGES

Employees focus support on Community Shares of Wisconsin and their local United Way through an annual campaign called Unite for Our Communities. This effort increases the ability of these organizations to help people succeed in school, work and life. Ascendium triples employee impact with a three-to-one corporate match of pledges.

$200,000+ Contributions in 2021

SPOTLIGHT: EAST MADISON COMMUNITY CENTER

For Ascendium employees, nominating the East Madison Community Center for a Good Neighbor Grant was an easy choice. The community center has been a vital resource for families on the city's east side for more than 55 years, providing afterschool programs and job skills training, among other supports. It's a favorite place for employees to use their volunteer time off as they're able to meet new people and have new experiences while positively impacting their neighborhood.

Using its Good Neighbor Grant, the community center expanded its children and youth programming. It now provides social and emotional education for students of all grades, anger management classes for youth, life skills training for teenage mothers attending high school and daily supervised gym time to help children stay active. Additionally, several of the community center staff have been trained and certified in trauma response to help support children facing stress and trauma in their lives.